History of Eastside Church of Christ
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42
Historical records were one of the things we lost as the building burned. The summary below was compiled by Theresa Cotton from individuals, old church directories, and other personally owned documents of current and previous members. We would welcome any additional information.
The church of Christ first began meeting in Kermit in the 1930's. There were about fifteen members who met for worship in the county courthouse.
Property was purchased on East Winkler Street, between Cedar and Ash Streets in 1937. On this spot, the first church building was erected with individual church members doing the work. The first building was an adobe structure that contained an auditorium or sanctuary that would seat about a hundred people and also had two classrooms. This building faced south on Winkler street.
Some of the charter members included Leonard and Eunice Anderson, Earl and Uradean Beshers, Fred and Myrtle Cooper, Howard and Fannye Davis, Malcolm and Rhonda Cox, Roberta Douglas, Theo and Argilete Lazenby, Doc and Bula Lott, Rossa Maples, Annis Carruthers Meers, Hoyt and Jessie Montgomery, Raymond and Myrtle Smith, Tom and Mary Stroud, Walter and Billie Westmoreland, and Doc and Mary Young.
Several years later, an upstairs addition was built to provide four more classrooms. As the oilfield continued to grow, so did the membership. During the 1940's, the elders found it necessary to expand with a larger building. An area for a pulpit, a place from which to serve communion every Sunday and a baptistry were added. The adobe building and upstairs portion were joined together with the new auditorium and bricked on the outside. The new building faced east on Ash Street.
By 1954, Eastside had flourished so the elders found the need to expand once more. Shirley Smith, owner of Oasis Builders and his neighbor, Ben Sides, drew up plans for a new auditorium, capable of seating about 500 people. Again, members worked side-by-side for about ten months to construct a larger auditorium alongside the one already standing. A new baptistry was added , changing rooms, and restrooms for men and women were included along with a communion preparation area. A nursery with its own restroom was added and the older baptistry was converted into two restrooms, a small classroom, and a small office and storage space. The former auditorium provided enough space for two offices, one for the minister and one for the church secretary, and about seven classrooms. They also built a teacher's workroom, amply supplied with almost everything necessary to teach Bible lessons on Sunday morning, Wednesday night, and for Vacation Bible School each summer. All of the buildings were joined together, bricked with a similar shade of brick as before, and glass brick/block was used in many of the windows of the new addition. A closet provided a food pantry to help the needy.
In approximately 1970, an annex building was completed. Primarily used as a fellowship building for shared meals, get-togethers, and wedding and baby showers, , the Annex gave the congregation an additional four classrooms. This Annex was saved the night of the fire, and is currently serving as our worship center, classrooms, office, food bank, and anything else we need.
As the needs of the congregation and Kermit changed, the 1955 auditorium was remodeled. In the 1990's, the ceilings were lowered, and the walls were given an update with paneling. The secretary's office was moved across the hall and a new hallway joined the classrooms and office areas to the auditorium. The sound system was updated and new carpeting was laid throughout. Cushions were added to the pews for worshippers comfort. The building was also updated to be more handicapped-accessible and an additional entrance was added. This entrance faced north where newly-acquired land became a nice asphalt parking lot. As the 21st century dawned ties were formed with the West Texas Food Bank, and the food pantry was expanded. A purchase of an older home next door became a clothing house to further help with benevolence work. A further update with new carpet, restroom updates and installation of audio-visual equipment was ongoing at the time of the fire.
Over the years of its existence, Eastside Church of Christ has been an integral part of our community in Kermit. We try to shine Jesus's light to others. Ministries have included providing tray favors for the local hospital, support for several children's homes, outreach to widows and the needy through our clothing room and food pantry, worship services and personal care at the local nursing home (before it closed,) providing support for aspiring ministers to attend Sunset International Bible Institute, and supporting many missionaries around the world. Eastside has also supported a local Spanish-speaking congregation and helped to support the local Westside church. Bi-annual gospel meetings, radio programs, and Vacation Bible Schools have provided ways to help spread the Gospel.
